Tube-bending machine.



L. H. BRINKIVIAN.

TUBE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 19:2.

Patented. Apr. 13, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

3 if Q i s W/T/VESSES [WM/TOR o: v I /WE/ flf lww I I marromufis L. H.BRINKMAN.

TUBE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, I912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented 11111213, 1915.

WITNESSES mama/24s:

L. H. BRINKWIAN.

TUBE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, I912.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v Q Ma HWE/l/TOI? ATTOk/I/EYS WITNESSES W i? L. H. BRINKMAN.

TUBE BENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12. i912.

Patented. @1113, N15.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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LOUIS H. BRINKMIAN, F GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BALTIMORE TUBECOMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

rune-annotate MACHINE.

iaaeta Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Application filed September 12, 1912. Serial No. 719,947.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Louis H. lBnINK wAN, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Glen Ridge, in thecountyof Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in TubelBending Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to tube bending machines, and one of the objects ofthe invention is to provide a durable, efficient and smoothly-operatingmachine for bendmg tubes without causing flat'spots therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tube bending machinewhich is' practically automatic in its cycle of operation, so that itmay be readily controlled and operated wit little effort or attention onthe part of the attendantgand still another object of the invention isto provide a fluid pressure operated machine of the above type embodyingfluid pressure operated valve mechanism controllin the fluid pressure tothe machine and suitable control devices governing the same in responseto movements of the parts of the machine.

The invention will be more readily understood, and further objects ofthe invention will more fully appear from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings in'which- I Figure 1shows a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of my invention. Fig.2 is a similar view with certain parts of the control mechanism brokenaway and with certain parts of the machine in difierent positions. Fig.3 is a side elevation of the machine, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 withcertain parts broken away. Fig. 4 is a crosssectional view taken on theline l4 of Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 ofFig. 6. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of themachine, takenon line 66 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a similar view showing theparts in their positions after the tube has been bent. Fig. 8 is anenlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1, showing thefluid pressure operated valve and control valves gov- Fig. 9 and "10 aresimilar views of the valve mechanism with the movable parts thereof indifferent positions;*and Fig. 11 and 12 show details.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 to 7 10 is a table or platform on oneend of which end of the a former 11 is pivotally mounted on a pin 12having a collar or annular shoulder 13 above the table 10, upon whichcollar the former rests, the pin having an extension 14 extendingthrough a transverse slot 15 in the table in which slot the pin isadjustable and is securely held in its adjusted position by means of anut 16 threaded on the lower pin. This former is the part upon which thetube is to be bent, and in the present machine it has a curved edge 17and a straight edge 18 tangent thereto; the edges being provided with agroove 19 semi-circular in cross-section, and of the proper size to fitthe size of pipe 20 which the machine is intended to operate on.

In order to secure the pipe to the former some suitable means isprovided, such for instance, as an eccentric 21 mounted to oscillate inbosses 22 extending upward from a horizontal bracket 23 which is securedby bolts 24 to the former, and on the upper surface of this bracketthere is provided a sliding clamping-block 25 having a semi-circulargroove to fit the pipe, and against which block the eccentric operatesto clamp the tube when handle 26 is turned in the proper direction. Itwill thus be seen that when the pipe is clamped in position by turningthe handle 26, the pipe and clamping mechanism will move with theformer. The former is swung back and forth to bend the tube by means ofa link 27 pivoted at 28 to the former and at 29 to the head of a pistonrod 30 moved back and forth by means of a cyhnder 31 and piston 32, theoperation of WhlCh is preferably controlled as hereinafter explained.

In order to hold the tube firmly in proper alinement from lateralmovement, and to prevent it from being mashed out of its propercross-sectional shape, bending operation, and to avoid t1on of flatspots in the tube, the following apparatus is provided: A rod or mandrel35, preferably having an enlarged front portion 36 of a size to fitwithin the tube 20, has a the formaball 37 mounted in its front end by asuitable loose motion connection, such form;- ample, as by aball-and-socket connection 38. The mandrel is adapted to move back andforth in alinement with the straight edge 18 of the former when theformer is in its normal position, and when the mandrel is in its forwardposition the ball-and-socket during the I connection 38 should besubstantially at center line 55 through the in 12 so that in bending thetube, the ball 3 can tilt or drop beyond this line which passes throughthe point at which the straight portion of the groove ends and thecurved portion commences. The mandrel is secured at its other end to thehead 39 of piston rod 40 which is adapted to be moved back and-forth bymeans of cylinder ll and piston &2. Between the forward end of themandrel and the curved portion of the former a swiping block 43 isprovided, the block having a groove 44: semi-circular in crosssection(Fig. 12) at one side adapted to fit the pipe 20, while the oppositefaceof the block 45 is made convex so as to provide a good sliding fitwith the groove 19 of the former, the swiping block being tapered so asto fit in between the forward end of the mandrel and the former andextend as nearly up to the point of the ball-and-socket connection 38 asit can be safely made to do. The swiping block holds the tube andmandrel firmly from any lateral movement in the direction of the block,and prevents any flattening of the tube on the inner side of the groovewhen the ball 37 is withdrawn. In order to prevent any lateral movement,or sidethrust of the tube outwardly from the other side of the mandrel,I provide a wedge block 49 also having a semi-circular groove 48 in itsface adjacent the mandrel, while the other face of the block 49 is madetapering and is adapted to fit against the sloping surface 50 of asuitable abutment 51 mounted on the table for the purpose of holding thewedge block from lateral movement. As will be seen from the drawings, te wedge block fits snugly in between the sloping surface of thisabutment and the adjacent side of the mandrel and extends well up to theline 5-5 to firmly hold the mandrel and tube in position during thebending operation and to permit the withdrawal of the ball 37, after thetube has been bent, without damaging the shape of the pipe.-

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the swiping block 43 andthewedge block 47 are operated simultaneously and fromthe same pistonwhich operates the mandrel, the connection being such as to Permitrelative movement between the mandrel and these blocks. The swipingblock is suitably secured to a rod 52 the rear end of which has asliding fit with an opening through the piston block 39, and the rod isprovided with a head or nut 55 and a second nut 56 between which lastnut and the block a compression spring 57 is provided. The wedge block49 is similarly connected to the piston block by means of a rod 58, nuts59 and 60 and spring 61. The object of this'kind of a connection is topermit the blocks to be held in position adjacent the former until afterthe mandrel with its ball 37 has been partly retracted or withdrawn fromthe tube so as to move the ball 37 beyond the curve of the tube into thestraight portion thereof to avoid the formation of flat spots in thetubes, heretofore mentioned. It will be seen from this connection thatwhen the piston block 39 is moved forward and the swiping block andmandrel reach their extreme forward position, as the movement of thepiston is I continued the springs 57 and (31 are compressed, while themandrel moves farther into the tube to its operative position; hence inthe backward movement of the piston to withdraw the mandrel, the pistonto which the mandrel is rigidly connected, will be moved back throughthis distance before the block 39 engages the rear nuts 55 and 59 tomove the swiping block and wedge from their position adjacent themandrel, during which time the springs hold these blocks firmly inposition.

In order to operate the machine smoothly and rapidlywith little effortor attention on the part of the operator, I provide the machine with thefollowing arrangement and construction of pipes, valve mechanism andcontrolling devices: The rear end of the cylinders 31, 41 are connectedrespectively pipes 63, 6% to a suitable source of fluid pressure,preferably a city water supply, from which pipes fluid pressure iscontinuously maintained at the rear end of the cylinders during theoperation of the machine, while the forward end of the cylinders areconnected through suitable valve mechanism respectively to pipes 66 and67 through which pipes relatively high pressure fluid is conveyed to theforward end of the cylmders through the valve mechanism. The fluidpressure conveyed through these pipes is of sufliciently high pressureto move the pistons against the low pressure fluid continuously appliedto the other end of the cylinders.

The valve mechanism 65, as shown in Fig. 1 and 8 to 10 inclusive,consists of a cylindrical shell 68 having suitable end portions 69, 70and having an inner cylindrical frame 71 with inwardly extending annularprojections or flanges 72 to 77 inclusive, which surround and fitagainst an inner tubular member 78, with which said flanges formchambers 80 to 86 inclusive. Between the outer shell of the valve 68 andthe inner frame 71 a suitable exhaust passage-way 87 is provided towhich is connected an exhaust pipe 88. The inner tubular member 78 isprovided with a series of ports in the form of perforations 90registering with one end of said passage-way 87 and with similar ports91 to 95 registering, respectively, with thechambers 81 to 85, and withsimilar ports 96 registering with the other end of the passage-way 87The high pressure fluid msaevt pipe 66 connects with valve chamber 82 tosupply high pressure fluid through ports 92, 91 and through pipeconnection 79 to the forward end of the cylinder 31 when the valve is inthe proper position, and high pressure pipe 67 connects with port 84 tosupply fluid pressure through ports 94, 95 and connections 89 to theforward end of cylinder 41 when the valve mechanism is in the properposition, while the exhaust pipe 88 connecting with passage Way 87conveys high pressure fluid from the forward end of the cylindersthrough the ports 91, 90, 96 and '95 and through passage way 87 Tocontrol the admission and exhaust of the high pressure fluid throughthese pipes to and from the cylinders, the inner tubular member isprovided with two separately sliding rods 97 and 98, the rod 97 havingthree pistons or rings 98', 99 and 100 mounted thereon, while the rod 98is provided with similar rings 101,102 and 103. These rings fit snuglywithin the inner tubular member 78 so as to control the flow of fluidthrough its ports. The sliding rods 97 and 98 carrying these rings arenormally held at their outer positions in the tube by means ofrelatively low pressure fluid continuously applied to the inner ringsthrough pipe 104, valve chamber 83 and ports 93; the source of fluidpressure being preferably the same as that applied to pipes 63 and 64for operating on the low pressure side of the cylinders. The outer endsof these sliding rods extend into the heads 69 and of the valve to whichare respectively connected pipes 105 and 106 for conveying relativelyhigh pressure fluid to the other ends of the rods to force them to theirinner positions against the normally applied low pressure fluid admittedthrough ports 93.

Fig. 8 shows the sliding rod 97 of the valve mechanism in position toexhaust high pressure fluid from the forward end of the cylinder 31 topermit the low pressure fluid at the rear of the piston 32 to move itforward to return the former to its normal position, while sliding rod98 is shown in its position for admitting high pressure fluid from pipe67 into the forward end of cylinder 41 to force the piston 12 backwardagainst the low pressure fluid for withdrawing the mandrel and blocks.In othenwords, Fig. 8 shows these rods in their positions when themovable parts of the machine are in the positions shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 shows sliding rod 97 in its positionfor admitting high pressurefluid from pipe 66 to the "forward end of cylinder 31 to swing theformer to bend the tube, whilerod 98 is shown in its positioii forexhaust ing high pressure fluid from the forward ind of cylinder 41 tomove the mandrel forward. In other words, the sliding rods of the valvemechanism are shown in their positions when the mandrel, swiping blockand wedge are in their forward positions, with the former being swung tobend the tube.

Fig. 10 shows the sliding rods in their inner positions at which highpressure is being admitted'to the forward end of each of the cylinders31 and 11. In other words, the rods are shown in their positions atwhich the former is being held in its operative position after bendingthe tube, with the mandrel, swiping block and wedge being retractedtherefrom.

As far as certain features of my invention are concerned, any suitablemeans may be provided for controlling the valve mechanism 65, but in theembodiment of the invention shown, the high pressure fluid to the valvemechanism is controlled by means of what may be termed master controldevices in the form of valves 110 and 111 connected respectively topipes 105 and 106. These valves are two-way valves, the valve 110 havinga port connected to pipe 105, a port connected to pipe 112 leading to asuitable source of high pressure fluid, and a port connected to anexhaust pipe 113. The valve is operated by a suitable lever 114 which,in the embodiment of the invention shown, extends down into a positionto be engaged by suitable projections 115 and 116 extending laterallyfrom a bar 117 secured to the sliding piston block 39. Valve 111 issimilarly connected with pipe 106 and with pipe 118 leading to asuitable source of high pressure, and to an exhaust pipe 119; and thisvalve is provided with an operating lever 120 extending down into thepath of movement of a lateral projection 121 secured to the slidingpiston block, the object being to actuate these control valves inresponse to movements of the former and mandrel in such manner as tomake the machine automatic in its cycle of movements after the operatorhas thrown the lever of control valve 111 in position to start themandrel forward.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention above described is asfollows With the movable parts of the machine in the positions shown inFig. 1, the pipe 2-0 is threaded over the mandrel and securely clampedto the former 11. Low pressure fluid is now applied to the rear ends ofthe cylinders and through pipe 104, to the inner ends of the slidingrods of the valve mechanism 65, and with the lever of the control valve110, in the position shown in Fig. 1, to exhaust the high pressure fluidthrough pipe 105, and with the lever of valve 111, in the position shownin full lines in Fig. 1, to admit high pressure through pipe 106, thesliding rods of valve 65 will be as shown in Fig. 8, in which positionthe forward end of cylinder 31 is connected to the exhaust 'pipe so thatthe low pressure at the rear of the piston 32 holds the former in theposition shown in Fig. 1; while high pressure fluid is admitted to theforward end of cylinder 41 to hold the piston 42 operat- 5 ing themandrel in its rearmost position against the low pressure fluid to holdthe mandrel, swiping block and wedge retracted. Under this condition, tostart the machine, the operator throws lever 120 of control valve 111 tothe dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, whereupon the high pressurefluid in pipe 106 leading to the valve mechanism is exhausted throughpipe 119 permitting the relatively low pressure fluid at the inner endof sliding rod 98 to move the rod outward into the position shown inFig. 9, at which point high pressure fluid from pipe 67 is cut off andthe pressure in the end of cylinder 41 is allowed to exhaust throughconnection 89, ports 95*and 96 to pipe 88, whereupon the low pressurefluid at the rear end of piston 412 will move the piston, swiping blockand mandrel into their forward positions adjacent the former, relativemovement being provided between the mandrel on the one hand, and theswiping block and wedge on the other, as heretofore described. When thepiston is moved to its forward position projection 116 engages valvelever 114 to throw it in position to admit high pressure fluid from pipe112through pipe 105 to the valve mechanism 65; whereupon sliding rod 97is moved against the low pressure fluid to its inner position shown in 5Fig. 9, at which position high pressure fluid is admitted from pipe 66through ports .92,

91 and connection 7 9 to the forward end of cylinder 31 to move piston32 backward against the low pressure fluid, swinging the former to bendthe tube; the former, mandrel, swiping block and wedge now being in theposition shown in Fig. 7, and the valve mechanism being in the positionshown in Fig. 9. As the piston 32 reaches its rearmost position, whenswinging the former to bend the tube, projection 121 on sliding block33, engages, lever 120 of valve 111 to throw it in position to admithigh pressure from pipe 119 through pipe 106 to the outer end of slidingrod 98 to move it against the low pressure fluid into its position shownin Fig. 10, whereupon high ressure fluid is again admitted from pipe 6to the forward end of cylinder ell to move piston 42 backward. toretract the mandrel, swiping block and wedge; the swiping block andwedge remaining in position adjacent the former until the mandrel hasbeen partly retracted, as heretofore explained, as a result of thesliding connections and springs. When the piston 42 has reached its rearposition, the projection 115 engages lever 114 of valve 110 to swing itback into 'itsnormal position to connect pipe 105 with exhaust pipe 113so as to permit the sliding rod 97 of valve mechanism 65 to assume itsnormal position, shown in Fig. 8, at which position high pressure fluidis exhausted from the forward end of cylinder 31, and the low pressurefluid at the rear of the cylinder will again move thc piston forward toreturn the former to its normal position, shown in Fig. 1. Thiscompletes the cycle of movements and the machine is now in position tohave the bent tube unclamped and a second tube clamped to the former. Itwill thus be seen that the operator has only to throw the lever ofcontrol valve 111, whereupon the entire cycle of movements of themachine is automatic, and yet the machine is under the complete controlof the operator.

While I have described my invention with particularity in connectionwith the preferred and most complete embodiment thereof, it will beobvious to those skilled in the 1 art that various modifications as tothe arrangement and construction of parts, and additions andsubstitutions of various parts may be made, without departing from thescope and spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

-1. Ina tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is 5 to be bent, a mandrel for the tube, a swiping block and awedge one on either side of the' mandrel adapted to be moved adjacentthe former, means for producing relative angular movement between themandrel, swiping block and wedge on the one hand, and the former on theother hand, to bend the tube, and means for partly withdrawing themandrel from the tube while the swiping block and wedge remain inposition adjacent the former.

2. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, 1 a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel,and means for partly with- 5 drawing the mandrel from the tube while theswiping block and wedge remain in position adjacent the former.

3. In a tube bendin machine, the combination of a pivoted ormer on whichthe 20 tube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be movedinto position adjacent the former and having a ball loosely connected tothe end thereof, a swiping block adapted to fit in between the front endof the former and the mandrel, a wedge on the other side of the mandrel,and means for holding the block and wedge in position until the mandrelhas been withdrawn from the former far enough to draw the ball pastmantra the bend of the tube when bent so as to prevent the bend of thetube being flattened in withdrawing the ball.

4. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a pivoted former withmeans for securing a tube thereto, a mandrel for the tube adapted to bemoved into position adjacent the former and having a ball .looselyconnected to 'the end thereof, a swiping block adapted to fit in betweenthefront end of the former and the mandrel, a wedge on the other side ofthe mandrel, a support against which the wedge is adapted to be moved tohold the wedge from lateral movement awa from the mandrel, and means forholdingthe block andwedge in position until the mandrel has beenwithdrawn far enough to draw the ball past the bend in the tube whenbent so as to prevent the bend of the tube being flattened inwithdrawing the ball.

5. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a mandrel for a tube, aformer on which the tube is to be bent, a swiping block adapted to fitbetween the mandrel and the former, a wedge on the other side of themandrel, means for producing relative movement between the former'on onehand and the block, wedge and mandrel on the other, in the generaldirection of the mandrel, and means for producing relative angularmovement between the block, wedge and mandrel on the one hand, and theformer on the other, to bend the tube.

6. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a mandrel for a tube, aformer on which the tube is to be bent, a swiping block adapted to fitbetween the mandrel and the former, a wedge on the other side of themandrel, means for moving the block and wedge back and forth along thegeneral direction of the mandrel, and means for swinging the former tobend the tube.

7. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a pivoted former, saidformer having a groove along its edge comprising acurved portion and astraight portion tangent to the curved portion, a mandrel for the 'tubemovable back and forth in register with the straight portion of thegroove when the former is in its normal position, a swiping blockmovable back and forth along the general direction of the mandrel andadapted to fit in between the mandrel and the curved portion of thegroove in the former and having a groove for the tube in alinement withthe straight portion of the groove of the former, a wedge also movablealong the general direction of the mandrel and also having a groove forthe tube, said wedge being adapted to fit on-the other side of themandrel from the swiping block,-

means for holding theswipingblock, wedge and mandrel in position, andmeans for swinging the former to bend'the tube.

8. In a tube bending machine, the combination of apivoted former, saidformer having a groove along its edge comprising a curved portion and astraight portion tangent to the curved portion, a mandrel of the grooveof the former and having a groove for the tube in alinement with thestraight portion of the groove of the former, a movable wedge alsohaving a groove for the tube and adapted to fit on the-other side of themandrel from the swiping block,

means for moving the mandrel, swiping block and wedge toward and awayfrom the former, said means including means for permitting relativemovement between the mandrel on the one hand and the block and wedge onthe other when adjacent the former.

9. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a pivoted former, saidformer having a groove along its edge comprising a curved portion and astraight portion tangent to thecurved portion, a mandrel for the tubemovable back and forth in register with the straight portion of thegroove when the former is in its normal position, a movable swipingblock adapted to fit in between the mandrel and the curved portion ofthe groove of the former and having a groove for the tube in alinementwith the straight portion of the groove of the former, a movable wedgealso having a groove for the tube and adapted to fit on the other sideof the mandrel from the swiping block, means for moving the mandrel,swiplng block and wedge toward and away from the former, said meansincluding means for permitting relative movement between the mandrel .onthe one hand and the swiping block and wedge on the other when adjacentthe former, means for adjusting the former toward and from the line ofmovement of the mandrel, a guide against which the wedge is adapted. tofit to hold it against lateral movement, means for swinging the formerto bend the tube, and means for securing the tube to the former.

I0. Ina tube bending machine, the-combination of a former on which thetube is to be'bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means 1ncluding a cylinder and a fluid pressure operated pistonfor swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, and means including acylinder and fluid pressure operated piston for moving the swiping blockand wedge into position adjacent the former.

11. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block on one side of the mandreladapted to be moved into position adjacent the former, means forswinging the former to bend the tube thereon, means for moving themandrel into and out of position adjacent the former, and meansoperatively connecting said last means and said swiping block to movethe swiping block from its position adjacent the former after themandrel has been partly withdrawn. I

12. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means for swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, meansfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former, andmeans operatively connecting said last means and said swiping block andwedge to move the swiping block and wedge from their positidn adjacentthe former after the mandrel has been partly withdrawn.

13. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adaptedto be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved. into position adjacent theformer, means for swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, andmeans for holding the swiping block and wedge in position adjacent theformer until the mandrel is partly withdrawn. l

14. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a forms: onwhich thetube is to be bent, asmandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means for swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, andmeans with which the mandrel, swiping block and wedge are connected formoving them into position adjacent the former.

I 15. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on whichthe tube is to be'bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means including a cylinder and 'a. fluid pressure operativepiston for swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, and meansincluding a cylinder and fluid pressure operative piston with 1 whichthe mandrel, swiping block and wedge are connected for moving them intoand out of position adjacent the former, said last means including meansfor holding the swiping block and wedge into position adjacent theformer until the mandrel is partly withdrawn.

16. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former,

a swiping block and wedge one on either side of the mandrel adapted tobe moved into position adjacent the former, means for swinging theformer to bend the tube thereon, means for moving the mandrel into andout of position adjacent the former, and means operatively related tosaid means and said swiping block and wedge so as to move the swipingblock and wedge into position adjacent the former in advance of themandrel and to withdraw them after the mandrel has been partlywithdrawn.

17. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operative pistonfor swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, means including acylinder and fluid pressure operative piston for moving the mandrel intoand out of position adjacent the former, and means connecting said lastmeans and said swiping block for moving the swiping block from itsposition adjacent the former after the mandrel has been partlywithdrawn.

18. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube adapted to be moved intoposition adjacent the former, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operative pistonor swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, and means including acylinder and fiuid pressure operative piston for moving the mandrel andswiping look into position adjacent the former, said last meansincluding means for holding the swiping block into position adjacent theformer until the mandrel is partly withdrawn.

19. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former on which thetube is to be bent, a mandrel for the tube ada ted to be moved intoposition adjacent the ormer, a swiping block and wedge one on eitherside of the mandrel adapted to be moved into position adjacent theformer, means for swinging the former to bend the tube thereon, meansincluding a rod for moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent1 ,maeve it the former, rods for operating the swiping block and wedge,said last rods having a sliding connection with the mandrel rod,

I and means operatively related with the three rods for holding thesliding block and wedge in position ad acent the former until themandrel is partly Withdrawn.

20. In a tube bending machine, the cbmbination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, valvemechanism connected with said pipes, and means controlling said valvemechanism for admitting and exhausting fluid through said pipes toswingthe former to bend the tube and then retract the mandrel from thetube.

21. lln a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel nismfor operating the same to swing the it'ormer to bend the tube and thenretract the mandrel from the tube.

22. 111 a tube bending machine, the combi; nation of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, fluid pressureoperated valve ,mechanism connected with said pipes, and means includingfluid pressure conveying pipes connected with said valve mechanism andvalves connected therewith for controlling the valve mechanism tooperate the mandrel and former.

.23. ltn a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw theltube over the mandrel andbend it, means inclndinga cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and outof position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, valvemechanism connected with-said'pipes, means controlling sa1d valvemechanism for admittlng and exhausting fluid through said pipes to coperate the mandrel and former, and means operatively relating saidvalve mechanism and pistons through which means the valve mechanism iscontrolled to operate in response to movements of the pistons.

24-. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a. former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving themandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, fluid pressureoperated valve mechanism connected with said pipes .for admitting andexhausting fluid pressure through said pipes to operate the mandrel andformer, fluid presnected with said pipes and means operatively relatingsaid master control valves and pistons for causing the actuation of thev fluid pressure operated valve mechanism in response to movements ofthe pistons 25. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former,a mandrel for the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressureoperated piston for swinging the former to draw the tube over themandrel 1 and bend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressureoperated piston for moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacentthe former, fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders,valve mechanism connected with said pipes for admitting and exhaustingfluid pressure through said pipes, control devices operatively connectedwith said valve mechanism for controlling the valve mechanism to operatethe mandrel and former, and parts connected with the pistons and movabletherewith to engage the control devices to operate them when the pistonsare moved. 1

26. in a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpistonfor moving themandrel into and out of position adjacent theformer, fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders,motivecpower *op' erated valve mechanism connected with said pipes forcontrolling the movements of the mandrel and former, valve controldevices operatively connected with saidvalve mechanism for controllingthe application of power thereto, means operatively relating one of saiddevices with the piston operating the mandrel to admit power to thevalve mechanism, when the mandrel has been moved forward, for movingsaid mechanism into position to admit fluid to the former operatingpiston for swinging the former,

and means operatively relating the other control device to the piston ofthe former to admit fluid pressure to the valve mechanism when theformer has been swung, for moving said valve mechanism into position toadmit-fluid pressure to the mandrel operating piston for retracting themandrel.

27. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the to operate the mandrel and former, said valvemechanism being normally moved" to its position for exhausting fluidpressure through the pipes from one end of the cylinders and pistonsoperating the former and mandrel, and means controlling said valvemechanism for admitting fluid pressure to said ends of the cylinders toswing the former and retract the mandrel.

28. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, valvemechanism having ports connected with said pipes and having a pluralityof movable parts controlling the admission and exhaustion of fluidtherethrough, means conveying fluid pressure to said valve mechanism tocontinuously exert pressure against said movable parts thereof to movethem in positions to exhaust fluid pressure through the pipes from oneend of the cylinders, and

means controlling said movable parts to move them into positions foradmitting fluid pressure to said ends of the cylinders to swing theformer and retract the mandrel.

29. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means includinga cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, valve mechanism having ports connected with said pipes and having a plurality ofmovable parts controlling the admission and exhaustion of fluidtherethrough, means conveying fluid pressure to said valve mechanism tocontinuously exert pressure against said'movable parts thereof to movethem in positions to exhaust fluid pressure through the pipes from oneend of the cylinders, and means ineluding pipes with control valvestherein for applying relatively high pressure fluid to the movable partsof the said valve mechanism for admitting fluid pressure to said ends ofthe cylinders to swing the former and retract the mandrel.

30. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging'the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,fluid pressure conveying pipes leading to said cylinders, valvemechanism having ports connected with said pipes and having a pluralityof movable parts controlling the admission and exhaustion of fluidtherethrough, means conveying fluid pressure to said valve mechanism tocontinuously exert pressure against said movable parts thereof to movethem in positions to exhaust fluid pressure through the pipes from oneend of the cylinders, means including pipes with control valves thereinfor applying relatively high pressure fluid to the movable parts of thesaid valve mechanism for admitting fluid pressure to said ends of "thecylinders to swing the former and retract'the mandrel, means operativelyrelating one of said control valves with the mandrel to control saidvalve by movements of the mandrel, and means operatively relating theother control valve with the former to control said last valve bymovements of the former.

31. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,pipes for conveying fluid pressure to one end of the cylinders, pipesfor conveying relatively high pressure fluid to the other end of thecylinders, valve mechanism connected with said last pipes, and meanscontrolling said valve mechanism to admit high pressure fluid to thecylinders for moving the pistons against the low pressure fluid and forexhausting said high pressure fluid from the cylinders to permit thereturn of the pistons by the low pressure fluid.

32. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor thechine to move the mandrel and former, pipes for conveyingrelatively high pressure fluid to the other end of the cylinders formoving the mandrel and former against the relatively low pressure fluid,valve mechanism controlling saidlast pipes, said valve mechanism beingnormally moved to its position to exhaust the high pressure fluid fromsaid cylinders, to permit the low pressure fluid to move the pistons,and means controlling said valve mechanism to admit said high pressurefluid to the cylinders to move'the pistons against the low pressurefluid.

33. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,pipes-for conveying fluid pressure to one end of the cylinderscontinuously during the operation of the machine to move the mandrel andformer, pipes for conveying relatively high pressure fluid to the otherend of the cylinders for moving the mandrel and former against therelatively low pressure fluid, valve mechanism having ports connected tosaid last pipes and having two movable-parts controlling said ports,means for continuously applying power to said parts during the operationof the'machino to move them in positions for exhausting the highpressure fluid from the c linders to permit the pistons to be move. bythe low pressure fluid, and means for applying power to said movableparts to move them into positions for admitting the relatively highpressure fluid to the cylinders to move the low pressure fluid.

34. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operatedpiston for swinging the former to draw the tube over the mandrel andbend it, meansincluding a cylinder and I nism having ports cylinders,valve mechanism having piston against the fluid pressure operated pistonfor moving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former,pipes, for conveying fluid pressure to one end of the cylinderscontinuously during the operation of the machine to move the mandrel andformer, pipes for conveying relatively high pressure fluid tq the otherend of the cylinders foe. and former against the moving the mandrelrelatively low pressure fluid, valve mechaconnected to said last pipesand having two movable parts controlling said ports, means forcontinuously applying power to said parts during the operation of themachine to move them in positions for exhausting the high pressure fluidfrom the cylinders to permit the pistons to be moved by the low pressurefluid, means operatively relating sa1d movable partsof the valvemechanism with the mandrel and former to cause said parts to be moved inresponse to movements of the mandrel and former.

35. In a tube bending machine, the combination of a former, a mandrelfor the tube, means including a cylinder and fluid ressure operatedpiston Ior swinging the ormer to draw the tube over the mandrel and bendit, means including a cylinder and fluid pressure operated piston formoving the mandrel into and out of position adjacent the former, pipesfor conveying fluid pressure to one end of the cylinders continuouslyduring the operation of the machine, pipes for conveying relatively highpressure fluid to the opposite end of the orts connected with said lastpipes andhaving a plurality of movable parts controllingthe admissionand exhaust of fluid therethrough, means conveying fluid pressure tosaid valve mechanism to continuously exert pressure against said movableparts thereof to move them in positions to exhaust high pressure fluidthrough the pipes from one end of the cylinders to permlt the pistons tobe moved by the low pressure fluid, and means including pipes withcontrol valves therein for applyin relatively high pressure fluid to themova le parts in said valve mechanism to move them in positions to admitthe high pressure fluid to the cylinders to move the pistons against thelow pressure fluid to swing the former and retract the mandrel.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS H. BRINAN, Witnesses:

SAMUEL M. WARD, Jr., EDWIN Snonn.

